German 'Giant' Over London: The Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI, 1917-18

The story of the huge German Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI aircraft used against London in 1917-18.
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@nichitagodonoaga196]

557.000 marks in 1917: Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI 557.000 marks in 1922: 1 loaf of bread

[@sophrapsune]

It’s extraordinary that these huge machines saw active service only 15 years after the Wright brothers’ first powered flight.

[@remancyrodiil9295]

England's oldest man Robert Weighton remembers the Zeppelin raids near his home in 1916. He was 8 years old at that time.

[@AlbertH99]

Chilli Fan my old auntie Mabel could too, with my dad a baby in my grandma’s arms.

[@tuljan4419]

Me: what was aerodynamics of this plane? Mark Felton: imagine a school bus with wings.

[@chasebh89]

"and one mechanic in the engine nacelle" that must have been a horrible job... imagine having to work on the engine at altitude, while being shot at, trying not to get killed or maimed by your OWN plane

[@ronnysterling7694]

Watching the airman step out of the engine compartment, across the wing, and into the fuselage, in flight like ho-hum war whatever. What monstrous aircraft development at that time

[@davidhoye6863]

The crews were absolutely fearless, the mechanic checking on his engine and walking back across the wing at 14000 feet. Just an extraordinary airplane for it’s time. Thanks for putting this together!

[@jetvader999]

Loving this WW1 Blitz mini series, never knew about these planes before

[@ronnysterling7694]

Louis McCracken exactly

[@soundknight]

What a phenomenal aircraft for its time.

[@snax_4820]

It was only big, but far from phenomenal.

[@phil3114]

@@snax_4820 "only", lol

[@shelbyseelbach9568]

@@snax_4820 about a dozen years after the first heavier than air flight, I'd call it phenomenal.

[@markfryer9880]

Mark mentioned the wing span of 134, feet, for reference a WWII Lancaster was 102 feet and a WWII B-29 was 121 feet.

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

The b 29's wingspan was 141'3" .

[@mabamabam]

The B737 MAX and A320neo are 117'10" and 117'5" respectively. The Rockwell B1-B lancer is 137'.

[@davemorgan6013]

As Mark correctly points out, the real impact of these bombers was not the damage they caused, which was negligible compared to WW2, but the fact that they tied up many fighter planes and AA guns, which would have otherwise been assigned to the Western Front.

[@gustavojr8081]

You're channel is iconic it's like history channel on steroids in my point of view

[@randomcoyote8807]

A distinct lack of Bigfoot, aliens, ice truckers and pro wrestling apparently has an overall quality-enhancing effect.

[@ronnysterling7694]

Metzger jr the history channel is more like the piss story channel compare to Mark’s accounts

[@oilersridersbluejays]

History Channel has been shit since the mid-2000s. Glad to see excellent documentaries such as this on KZbin to fill that void.

[@CarmineKar98K]

That moment when you think you've seen all of Germany's big war machines but find out they had more. And from WWI none the less!

[@tannerdenny5430]

Man, imagine being 14000 ft up in an open cockpit, like riding a giant sky motorcycle in winter above Mount Rainier.

[@matthewbittenbender9191]

From Wikipedia: Four R.VI’s were shot down in the war (1/3 of the fleet) with six others that crashed trying to land. In all 18 were built with just 6 surviving the war. Only one crash site was discovered in 1981 in Poelkapelle, Belgium. It was damaged by antiaircraft fire and the crew of 7 was killed.

[@carmium]

My grandmother was born to an ex-pat German father and his Polish wife. I asked her if she had ever visited the "old country" and she said yes, as a child, she had sailed to Germany (maybe 1910?) and toured, meeting all sorts of family. "We met the Graf Zeppelin..." I sputtered out something life "Seriously?!? He was a relative?" and she said yes, he was an uncle or something; she couldn't remember as it was in her childhood. I'd sure like to know that link, and if I can refer to him as great-grand-uncle Ferd...

[@danial469]

lool up my great grandfather hajj amin al husseini. all you will see is picture of him with hitler lol

[@Roller_Ghoster]

Just got through york castle museums WW1 display and seen a captured german machine gun from 1918. Great video Mark and made me appreciate my surroundings even more after doing the tour.

[@LeftToWrite006]

@about 4:15 the dude that climbs down from the engine and starts walking to the fuselage.... it looks like he’s doing while the plane is flying. 😬😳

[@jackwood8307]

Mans ingenuity in crafting killing machines never ceases to amaze me.

[@artofwar7262]

When you find the time, may you do a video on the battles in Estonia during WWII? I feel as if the fights in the Baltic are often overlooked. Keep up the amazing content!

[@hardcorehardo]

They were quite one sided weren't they

[@oilersridersbluejays]

As a World War I and II buff I completely agree with this comment. The history of the Baltic countries are quite interesting!

[@saxybeast128]

That's a story for another day... *Uploads story next day* Why I continuously flock to Mark Felton Productions.

[@clydecessna737]

Bomb damage from WW1 raids can be observed on Cleopatra's needle on the Embankment, London.

[@MrAlumni72]

Holy cow, what a titan! "relatively mundane Gotha" - well said. While the death toll they caused is always a downside, these relatively rare aircraft from ww1 are always fascinating. A mechanic in each engine nacelle - not sure I'd have enjoyed that sort of work, since the engines were usually the main target of any attack. Even a reconstructed mockup of this giant of the sky would be worth going to see.

[@asheland_numismatics]

Best narrator on KZbin!

[@celtisafricana4984]

Agreed! Mark Felton is one of the most well spoken individuals I can think of

[@ShuttleFactoryScaleModels]

The wingspan of the Zeppelin Staaken alone (42.2 meters) was close to the wing span of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (43.0 meters). That alone should give one a sense of how huge this amazing aircraft was for its time. The only other large bomber similar to the Staaken was the Imperial Russian Sikorsky Ilya Muromets bomber (which I hope Dr Felton covers that amazing aircraft in another video), wingspan was about 29.8 meters. It still blows my mind that by the end of 1918 the technology for fully enclosed aircraft cockpits and all metal construction (thanks to Hugo Junkers and his various designs) existed. Its mind boggling to think the Wright brother took to the sky's at Kittyhawk in 1903 for a few hundred meters. Then 15 years later aircraft like the Staaken & Junkers D.1 were taking to the skies in 1918.

[@glassarthouse]

One of the things that struck me, rather oddly, I guess, is that while watching the Germans in the open cockpit layout it occurred to me that they must have had such a different perspective about flying and what airplanes are than what we likely share today. There's just something about how they are just standing there in the open air, sailing around under cruise and just looking out and pointing that makes me think they must have thought of these things as flying platforms from which they could be supremely strategic and seek superior analysis. I don't know, just a thought. Their body language made me think of this.

[@bryanphillips6088]

That may be true, but these also didn't have the speed or altitude capabilities of later aircraft that necessitated flight suits, breathing apparatus or pressurized crew areas.

[@normancomeau371]

This arial footage from the crew was a bonus! what a big thinker that Zepelin!

[@vonsteuben6475]

You have to be so poor, I'll buy you an extra "p"! Or an extra "n" for Norman"n"?

[@JohnDoe-gq9hp]

When a KZbinr does a better history research than corporation TV shows.

[@jameskeen510]

Love the Staaken R. VI got a 1/72 scale Model of it. As well the Gotha G III, IV and V. Thanks for your great interesting work. Stay strong. Greetings from Germany/Hannover.

[@Nekorashii]

Im always so pumped for the music in the beginning and at the end of the video, it just adds this mysterious atmosphere to the topic!

[@bigblue6917]

These raids led the UK to set up a series of observation post, initially manned by British Army personnel but later by Special Constables (volunteer police officers). They became an important part of the defence against air attack being coordinated with the anti-aircraft guns. In 1925 they became the Royal Observer Corps and again served a similar role in WW2. The Royal Observer Corps was finally disbanded in 1996. I once met someone who served in the Royal Observer Corps and we talked about the history of the unit to which he was quite knowledgeable. I was in the position of being able to add to his knowledge of the period from WW1 until the Corps formation as he was not aware of this part of its history.

[@the_diplomat51]

Sir Mark Felton, bringing the obscured parts of history to both the masses and enthusiasts. Keep up the outstanding content sir :)

[@SeraphoftheRoundTable]

Fun fact: There was an even larger aircraft the Germans tested. It was called the Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII. however, only one was built and it never finished the prototype stage due to the armistice.

[@theoheinrich529]

Me and the Boys going for a sight-seeing trip over London.

[@tarquinftangftangolebiscui8606]

I really hope that you get home safely, you twat.

[@HiTechOilCo]

While murdering untold numbers of innocent people. How, "nice'. Not.

[@FilmHere007]

I had an acquaintance named Steve up near Oshkosh who built a scaled down version of a Gotha bomber, with which the wings could be removed for transport of everything on a custom trailer. Unknown if he ever finished it, as this WW2 Pilot Veteran was already up in years at that time. His aviation company was called Striker Air. This was during the mid 1990's. I still have a few pictures of it - somewhere!

[@m.a.118]

Fun fact: Canada has an A.E.G. G.IV in Ottawa. It's the only original multi-engine German combat aircraft left from WWI in the world.

[@fredkeele6578]

You always do a fantastic job of showing footage I haven't seen before. You also provide great narration. I used to watch the history channel and others with historical content. You, Mark, deserve an award of some kind for keeping history alive.

[@willkriegforkartoffeln4878]

Many thanks! I was quite looking forward for this one!

[@kirishima638]

Your videos are a real gem, shedding light on an overlooked war. Thank you so much.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Amazing aircraft that had a wingspan the same as a B-29 Superfortress!

[@donjones4719]

Would not have believed the size of this WW I biplane if I hadn't seen it. More unbelievable that this project got greenlighted! Great photo on the ground, shown with a small fighter near it. Large plane, large crew, multiple machine guns able to drive off fighters - one can see the roots of the idea for the B-17 and others, and the thinking that an unescorted bomber was a viable idea.

[@jojuca92]

Can you talk about the very first bombing of Berlin by a french bomber in 1940? It's a rather rare and strange story to hear.

[@nealenewton4971]

Astonishing size & technology. Scarcely believable for the time. Must have been terrifying to see an aeroplane of such proportions, particularly given the infancy of aeronautics, merely 10 or so years after man's first flight...wow!

[@billy5179]

Holy...... The size... Imagine yourself flying around in your flimsy little Sopwith or Albatros and then this thing comes along. What a machine.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

FWIW: I did NOT know Mr. Zeppelin worked with heavier-than-air flying machines. The Gotha bombers were the only ones I knew of.

[@andrewclark1544]

I have a memorial card belonging to my grandmother for the funeral of those killed in the raid on Brentford.

[@_zoinks2554]

This is a new aircraft to me! Great work Mr. Felton!

[@brendanhere.6400]

Honestly, Sir, your presentations never cease to impress me. Thank you so very much for doing what you do for your avid followers. Also, please allow me to mention that your voice, your diction, your expression and your obvious passion impresses (I am most confidant that my peers will not mind me speaking on their behalf when it comes to this matter) all of us. My kindest regards to you and those that you love and care for, Brendan.

[@zxbzxbzxb1]

No views and 11 likes tells you how good this new snippet from history must be! Thanks Mark :)

[@Rohilla313]

What would Graf Zeppelin have said if he had known that his name would be borrowed by one of Britain’s most notorious rock bands?

[@mp1p]

Your quick, after your last video i tried finding info on this plane Amazing mark, ty for your contributions to making history informative.

[@resnonverba137]

Good enough to be televised without revision. Thanks for upload.

[@VideoCesar07]

Awesome! Thanks Mark! Now I wish they made a model kit of this beast. This thing was ahead of it's time in terms of design and capabilities. Like Gus Goose said below, hard to believe how quickly aircraft design advanced in such a short period.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Mark, you should mention the first German "Blitz" in a video about the 1940 Battle of Britain. The last sentence of THIS video - describing the development of the early warning system to counter the first German aerial raids - explains why the British won the 1940 campaign. It's true that radar and Spitfires were gloriously effective, but it was the network of men and women, often too old to wear a uniform or carry a rifle, that enabled the British to beat the larger Luftwaffe in what really was the "finest hour" for Britain. I had known about the crucial importance of the British warning system and the vital Dispatch room - the one with the big map table - but when you mentioned that the WWI Blitz prepared the way for the map table room that beat the Germans in the summer of 1940, I had one of those "light bulb goes on in my head" moments. Thank you SO much for all of your consistently fine work, with correct dates and times, and good pronunciation of the German and French names, place names, ranks and equipment. The accuracy and attention to detail makes your videos seem official; they're certainly every bit as authoritative as any government account. Keep up the good work, and may Good Fortune attend you, always.

[@kcharles8857]

Been looking forward to this. Thankyou.

[@patrickstrijker7574]

Excellent video as always!

[@zoltonthemagnificent88]

Thanks for the measurement conversions. Great series on topics rarely covered.

[@lindsey607]

I love this channel. They cover a lot of stuff that even the history channel hasn't yet touched on. Very very informative. Keep up the great work.

[@WierdSpookyDude]

The ingenuity and sheer audacity of the Germans in WW1 never ceases to amaze me. I had never heard of these planes or their attacks on Britain before. Your research appears to be superb. I am now a subscriber. Well done!

[@swedandy2619]

I built a model plane of the Gothe or Zep.- st. 6 when I was 7 years old, very tricky with the lines between the wings. Now, 51 years later, thanks to Mark F. Prod., I understand the history about the planes, lovely.

[@morrisminor56]

Never knew about these huge planes before.Thanks.

[@oilersridersbluejays]

Such a cool, impactful, and relatively unknown aircraft. Great work!

[@McRocket]

ANother great video. Informative, chocked full of details, well told and yet not too long at all. Thank you.

[@benzo430]

I love that you give both feet and metric measurements!

[@gumunduringigumundsson9344]

Well.. that I did not know. Thank you. You rock!!

[@randysurline4651]

I've never heard of this plane, great video

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

I like to think of myself as moderately knowledgeable about the two world Wars (in a totally amateur way) but I have never heard of these huge bombers attacking England. Thanks again for your research.

[@kalanga72]

The Zeppelin-Staaken was the first 'supercharged' plane in militar history. One of them had a 5th motor in the fuselage (internal) just to give compressed air for the other 4 motors.

[@wrichardmorris]

Yet another plane I had not previously known about! Great stuff again from Mark.

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

Phew. I knew of these giants, but I never guessed they were that well defended that they coud so easily shoot off British fighter aircraft above their own soil. Impressive.

[@tarquinftangftangolebiscui8606]

Great documentary, I'd never heard of these bombers before.

[@macdavy70]

Great work, loving the little details of forgotten history

[@oncall21]

Wow it's big enough for Goering to fit in it! Thanks for sharing Mark. Very interesting as always!

[@connard123abc]

Wow! I've never seen a locomotive with wings before. I wonder how they got it through tunnels. Fascinating series of videos, thanks.

[@philt4346]

Nacelle Jockey has to be the epicist job in aviation! Another eye-opening presentation, thankyou Mr Felton +

[@patrickbonin137]

Thank you mark..even a mad plane enthusiasts like myself still learning today something new..your really bloody good at this.😁😀❤

[@momotheelder7124]

These are so great, the narration, photographs, footage and sound effects make for great storytelling.

[@motorTranz]

A part of history I never knew. Well done Dr. Felton.

[@mattsmedley.onehandedgamin9029]

Thank you, I've learned something new today.

[@melvyncox3361]

Nice job Mark!Never knew these existed,with an enclosed cockpit as well.Amazing!

[@flamencoprof]

I was born in the early '50s and grew up learning and even enthusing about both WW2 and WW1 planes, but never heard of this one before. Very interesting, and great use of archival footage as well.

[@scuppersthesailordog]

I have an envelope labelled in my maternal grandmother's hand as shrapnel from German bombs as described here. Shredded metal -- nasty stuff. I gather though, that it's more likely to be shrapnel from Britain's own anti-aircraft guns. Shells exploding over the city apparently did considerable damage to people's homes (and to those people wandering about outside during raids).

[@noka1979]

Loved this.. Need more like this, thank you

[@barryhopesgthope686]

Wright- Patterson Muesum has the Italian WW1 heavy bomber. I am amazed the high ceilings of these planes didn't kill the crews.

[@k98_zock_tv47]

You pump out good material constantly. I like this format and the little, mostly overlooked actions that took place from various conflicts and eras. Really great! Also, a really great rememberance to all soldiers of all side, the personal aspect of those men shines through. +1

[@psychopegasus5564]

Love your videos! Keep up the amazing work

[@killajakez]

Wow, I didn't know about this. Amazing!

[@MainesOwn]

it is compelling how you collect and process all those little facts. Amazing.

[@paoloviti6156]

Excellent and informative video on the Zeppelin-Staaken series! I'm saying that because you are depicting various types of this bomber, ranging from the V.G.O. (Versuchs Gotha Ost) to the giant Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI but there was also the R XIV and arrived too late as well the final version the version the R.XVI . All in all a truly remarkable aircrafts! Thanks for the video!

[@dougdesrosiers4571]

Absolutely wonderful. I have learned something new. I was aware of the fighter aircraft and of a few bombers of that era,but this new to me. Good work. Carry on.

[@Impailer67]

Mark,,,you did it again. great work

[@filippos13]

Very interesting! Keep up the great work!

[@hermanmoore3301]

Another very interesting and informative video - I am learning quite a lot of new information by watching your posts. Thanks for taking all this time to do all the research in order to upload these amazing stories. It is truly well received and definitely appreciated.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Excellent as usual Mr. Felton!

[@thefreedomhouse1984]

wow a 10 man crew and 4,000lbs bomb load......German ingenuity as usual is impressive.

[@Skipper.17]

It has always intrigued me as to why the Germans spent so much time bombing England, and not Paris from the air.

[@chrisneedham5803]

Just look at today and there's your answer. The EU lead by Germany and France are trying to destroy Britain even as we speak 😂😂😂😂

[@Wallyworld30]

They could hit Paris with cannons. Also short range planes as well.

[@neinnein9306]

Its more a thing of "hey guys, you are reachable for us" like the Doolittle Raid on Tokio. You dont need to scare French people anymore when you are standing 70 miles deep in their territory already.

[@k98_zock_tv47]

@@chrisneedham5803 Really not. "Lead" by Germany.... Well, you should know, that Germany is not a free country since 1945. Do research please. We are today an american colony :)

[@briansmith8079]

Rare subjects these early R planes, thanks for posting.

[@hmingthanzuala11]

Great, as always, keep up the great work Mark!

[@dfab9901]

Fascinating!

[@jonnibegood1]

Jolly interesting history... Thank you Mark. 👌🏼